The World Inequality Report 2022, drafted by French economist Thomas Piketty and his colleague, once again highlights high and growing inequality across countries. It calls for draconian taxes on the super-rich to help the poor and middle class. The authors […]
Piketty’s super-rich tax is not going to end inequality Read More »
Always sacrifice economic sense if it wins a few more votes. That logic drives competitive politics in India, spurring myopic measures that inflict long-term damage. Too many elections are dominated by three issues — subsidies, job reservations and communalism. Economists
Power freebies show pitfalls of electoral politics Read More »
Many critics say the BJP made a tactical blunder by rushing through its farm reforms without enough consultation and debate. They think a more inclusive, persuasive approach could have succeeded. I disagree. Many differences are too deep to be settled
No, talking to farmers wouldn\’t have saved farm laws Read More »
Many critics say the BJP made a tactical blunder by rushing through its farm reforms without enough consultation and debate. They think a more inclusive, persuasive approach could have succeeded. I disagree. Many differences are too deep to be settled
No, talking to farmers wouldn\’t have saved farm laws Read More »
It is a defeat for economic sense and a victory for undeserving vote banks. Far from acting as the autocrat that critics accuse him of being, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chickened out of his proposed farm reform laws in
Farm retreat casts doubt on other economic reforms Read More »
Need to bust the myth that secularism is anti-Hindu or anti-religion, and it’s certainly not leftist Dear Chetan Bhagat, I usually love your columns, but was disturbed by your recent piece ‘ Hate smug liberals? But don’t hate just because
Dear Chetan, secular isn’t bad, it’s beautiful Read More »
As a young journalist I learned not to take Five Year Plans seriously. Fancy plan targets were routinely missed but shrugged off since they carried no penalties. Are climate targets being discussed at the COP26 climate summit any different? If
Right climate for Indian investment in green tech Read More »
A decade ago, former World Bank economist Lant Pritchett was lauded for his thesis that while India was definitely not a failing state — it had achieved 7% “miracle” GDP growth — it was a “flailing state.” That is, while
India not a flailing state but can we return to 7% GDP? Read More »
India’s central and state governments have long misused a variety of laws and rules to cow opponents and silence critics. Trolling, abuse and threats of rape or killing on social media are other standard tactics. The BJP may be the
We need to end harassment through FIRs Read More »
This is the time of year when optimistic budget projections usually prove false, tax revenues fall short of expectations, austerity is decreed for government departments, government dues and capital spending are postponed for want of funds, and budgetary fudging of
As Covid wanes, economy back on recovery path Read More »
Sign up to get all the latest posts and news sent to your inbox.
